Folded safety fire escape



Aug 6, 1929. BLAUFELD 1,723,129

FOLDED SAFETY FIRE ESCAPE Filed Sept. 4, 1928 NVENTOR. MQERIS EQALJF'ELE3; A 5 3/ f;

Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES MORRIS BLAUFELD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FOLDED SAFETY FIRE ESCAPE.

Application filed September 4, 1928. Serial No. 303,671.

This invention relates to a new and useful device in the nature of anextension fire escape especially adapted to provide a means of exit forpersons from a burning building.

The object of the invention is to provide an extension ladder normallyheld in a container secured directly below the window sill of a buildingand a means of readily releasing the said extension ladder for thepurpose as above set forth.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed of comparatively cheap construction easily manufactured andinstalled.

A still further object of the invention isto provide a device of theclass described of novel construction and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a building equipped with a numberof my im proved extension fire escapes.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of my improved deviceshowing same in a non-extended or not in use position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectionalview'taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that illustrated inFig. 5 showing the ladder in a released position.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of one of the ladder steps asembodied in my improved device.

As here embodied my improved extension fire escape comprises a-containeror receptacle of box-likeconstruction consisting of side members 10 and11 and top and base members 12 and 13, and open at the front .and rearthereof. Supports 14 and 15 are secured transversely to the rear edgesof the side members 10 and 11 in proximity to the top and base members12 and 13. These supports 14 and 15 are of sufficient length to extendsomewhat beyond the end members 10 and 11, as at16, 17 and 18, 19respectively and have formed therein apertures 20, adapted to receivethreaded members,

' bolts, screws, studs or the like as a means of securely attaching theabove described container to the side 21 of a building directly belowthe window sill 22.

The above described container and supports are constructed of metalsuitably formed, punched or stamped and preferably welded together so asto provide a permanent, fire proof and rigid construction.

A plurality of ladder steps comprising a top step 23, bottom step 24 andintermedi ate steps are suspended from one another by means of flexiblemembers 26 and 27, preferably metal chains so as to provide fire proofconstruction. The top step 23 is suspended from the top member 12 of theabove mentioned container by means of the flexible members 28 and 29,similar to the metal chains 26 and 27. The steps 23, 24 and 25 are ofcorrugated transverse section as clearly shown in Fig- 7, and areconstructed preferably of sheet metal pressed or otherwise formed to theabove mentioned section, so as to provide traction or prevent slippageof the feet of the person using same and also so as to provide fireproof construction. The bottom step 24 is of somewhat wider constructionthan the top step 23, the intermediate steps 25 are of graduated widthsrelative to the top and bottom steps 23 and 24 so as to provide auniformly graduated set or series of steps.

A rod 30 vertically disposed is rotatively mounted in the top and bottommembers 12 and 13 in close proximity to the front edge thereof and theside member 10. This rod 30 has secured thereto at its upper extremity alever 31 provided with a handle element 32. A tension spring 33 issecured to the lever 31 and to the top member 12, as a means of normallyholding the handle element 32 in close proximity to the window sill 22within easy and convenient reach of'a person desiring to use my improveddevice, and also for the purpose as hereinafter set forth.

A plurality of angle brackets 34 and 35 are secured to the side members10 and 11 and extend inwardly therefrom, and are approximatelyrelatively evenly spaced for the purpose of providing suitable supportsfor the above mentioned steps 23, 24 and 25, when not in use.

The rod 30 is provided with horizontal extended elements 36 and 37,positioned in proximity to the upper and lower extremities of the rod30, a vertically disposed element 38 is secured to the extendedextremities of the elements 36 and 37. The latter described constructionis such as will normally permit the spring 33 to hold the element 38 orguard in contact with the steps 23, 24 and 25, so as to preventmisplacement of the steps in the said container.

The rod 30 is provided with horizontal extended elements 39 positionedin roximity to the upper and lower extremities of the rod 30, .avertically disposed elemental is secured to the extendedextremitiesoifithe elements 39 and40, so as to permitth'e' ele ment 41to normally engage the rear ed es of the steps 23, 24 and 25. The aboveescribed construction is such as will permit the element 41 to assumethe position designated by the reference numeral 41' when the handleelement 32 is forced outwardly as designated by the reference numeral32, for the purpose of slidably misplacing the steps 23, 24 andf25' fromthe brackets 34 and 35, as designated by the reference numeral 24' so asto extend the ladder steps along the side of the building as designatedby'the refer ence numeral 42.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows 1. In anextension fire escape of the class described, a container for holding aladder consisting of a plurality of steps connected by flexible members,a rod rotatively mounted in the container, a lever attached on the rod,extended elements projecting from the rod, vertical elements on the endsof the extended elements and engageable against the front edges of thesaid steps, and'means for normally urging the vertical elements againstthe said steps for preventing misplacement of the steps in thecontainer.

2. In anextension fire escape of the class described, a container forholding a ladder consisting of a plurality of steps connected by,flexible members, a rod rotatively mounted in the container, a leverattached on the rod, extended elements projecting from the rod, verticalelements on the ends of the extended elements and engageable against thefront edges of the said steps, and a spring connected between the leverand the container .for normally urging the vertical elements against thesaid steps forpreventing misplacement of the steps in the container.

3. In an extension fire escape of the class described, a container forholding a ladder consisting of a plurality of steps connected byflexible members, a rod rotatively mounted in the container, a leverattached on the rod, extended elements projecting from the rod, verticalelements on the ends of the extended elements and engageable againstthe, front edges of the said steps, means for normally urging thevertical elements against the said steps for preventing misplacement ofthe steps in the container, second extended elements, and a verticalelement attached on the latter extended elements and engageable againstthe rear ed es of'the said steps for moving the steps orward and out ofthe container upon a partial rotation of the rod.

In testimony whereof I have afli-xed my signature.

MORRIS BLAUFELD.

